Patents by Inventor Brian Lister

Brian Lister has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11421585
    Abstract: A variable drive system, to drive an accessory drive of a machine may include a first variable pulley to be mechanically coupled to the accessory drive and an engine output of an engine. The variable drive system may also include a second variable pulley to be mechanically coupled to a flywheel. The variable drive system may include a drive element to rotate, according to a clutch system, about the first variable pulley and the second variable pulley to at least one of: drive the second variable pulley to charge the flywheel with kinetic energy or drive the first variable pulley via kinetic energy from the flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Lister, Gaurav Vasudeva
  • Publication number: 20210010415
    Abstract: A variable drive system to drive an accessory drive of a machine is disclosed. The variable drive system may include a first variable pulley to be mechanically coupled to the accessory drive and an engine output of an engine. The variable drive system may include a second variable pulley to be mechanically coupled to a flywheel. The variable drive system may include a drive element to rotate, according to a clutch system, about the first variable pulley and the second variable pulley to at least one of: drive the second variable pulley to charge the flywheel with kinetic energy or drive the first variable pulley via kinetic energy from the flywheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian LISTER, Gaurav VASUDEVA
  • Patent number: 10124811
    Abstract: A machine may include an engine, a traction device, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) connecting the engine to the traction device, an operator input device outputting engine output command signals input by an operator, an engine speed sensor monitoring an engine output speed, and an electronic control module (ECM). The ECM controls a machine output of the machine by executing a transmission output control routine using transmission output parameters as feedback when transmission output parameter sensor signals are reliable. The ECM controls the machine output by executing a target engine speed control routine using an engine output speed sensor signals as feedback when the transmission output parameter sensor signals are nor reliable. In the target engine speed control routine, the ECM determines a CVT transmission ratio that will cause the CVT to apply a load to the engine that will cause the engine to run at the target engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Lister
  • Publication number: 20180134303
    Abstract: A machine may include an engine, a traction device, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) connecting the engine to the traction device, an operator input device outputting engine output command signals input by an operator, an engine speed sensor monitoring an engine output speed, and an electronic control module (ECM). The ECM controls a machine output of the machine by executing a transmission output control routine using transmission output parameters as feedback when transmission output parameter sensor signals are reliable. The ECM controls the machine output by executing a target engine speed control routine using an engine output speed sensor signals as feedback when the transmission output parameter sensor signals are nor reliable. In the target engine speed control routine, the ECM determines a CVT transmission ratio that will cause the CVT to apply a load to the engine that will cause the engine to run at the target engine speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Lister
  • Patent number: 9937928
    Abstract: A machine may include an engine, a traction device, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) connecting the engine to the traction device, an operator input device outputting engine output command signals input by an operator, an engine speed sensor monitoring an engine output speed, and an electronic control module (ECM). The ECM may control the engine to a target engine speed using engine speed sensor signals as feedback. A desired percentage of peak power of the engine may be determined from the engine output command signals, and the target engine speed may be determined from the desired percentage of the peak power. The ECM determines a CVT transmission ratio that will cause the CVT to apply a load to the engine that will cause the engine to run at the target engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Lister
  • Patent number: 9855951
    Abstract: A machine may include an engine, a traction device, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) connecting the engine to the traction device, an operator input device outputting engine output command signals input by an operator, an engine speed sensor monitoring an engine output speed, and an electronic control module (ECM). The ECM may control the engine to a non-retarding target engine speed when a commanded engine output is greater than zero, a retarding target engine speed when the commanded engine output is zero and a commanded brake force is greater than zero, and a coasting target engine speed when the commanded engine output is zero and the commanded brake force is zero. The ECM may use engine speed sensor signals as feedback, and determine a CVT transmission ratio that will cause the CVT to apply a load to the engine that will cause the engine to run at the specified target engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Lister
  • Patent number: 9764740
    Abstract: A machine may include an engine, a traction device, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) connecting the engine to the traction device, an operator input device outputting engine output command signals input by an operator, an engine speed sensor monitoring an engine output speed, and an electronic control module (ECM). The ECM may control the engine to a target engine speed determined from the engine output command signals using engine speed sensor signals as feedback. The ECM determines a CVT transmission ratio that will cause the CVT to apply a load to the engine that will cause the engine to run at the target engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Lister
  • Patent number: 9551414
    Abstract: A synchronizer system and method allow synchronization of a plurality of rotating parts by determining a measured or calculated starting relative speed of the plurality of rotating parts, and based on the starting relative speed selecting a predetermined synchronizer force profile from among a plurality of candidate profiles for synchronizing the plurality of parts prior to engagement. The selected profile is retrieved and applied to a synchronizer between the plurality of parts to be engaged, and when the relative speed between the plurality of parts to be engaged becomes substantially zero, the plurality of parts can then be engaged to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler Bowman, Brian Lister
  • Publication number: 20160017992
    Abstract: A hydro-mechanical continuously variable transmission utilizing a variator having a pump hydraulically interconnected with a motor wherein shutoff valves are provided between the pump and the motor and wherein the motor includes an output line having a restricting valve therein such that the pump may be hydraulically decoupled from the motor and the restricting valve on the motor output may be controlled to achieve a desired motor torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Lister
  • Patent number: 8897976
    Abstract: A transmission includes a transmission output speed (TOS) sensor providing a signal indicative of an output speed of the transmission. A controller estimates an actual torque output of the transmission and determines, in real time, a first TOS acceleration based on the signal provided by the transmission output speed sensor and a second TOS acceleration based on the actual torque estimation. The first and second accelerations are compared and a torque transient trigger is activated when the divergence exceeds a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Lister, Christopher Rhoades, Michael Beyer, Michael Barngrover
  • Patent number: 8862351
    Abstract: A method of controlling a transmission (100) for a machine is disclosed. The transmission includes a variator (104). The transmission is operated in a first operating range (301). It is determined whether a current speed ratio is within a first predetermined range of a speed ratio associated with a first synchronous point (304) lying between the first operating range (301) and the second operating range (302). A desired speed ratio is determined and it is determined if the desired speed ratio is within a second predetermined range of the speed ratio. A shift between the first and second operating ranges (301, 302) is prevented and the variator (104) is controlled to hold the current speed ratio if the desired speed ratio is within the second predetermined range or the rate of acceleration of the machine is below the threshold acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Beyer, Adam Vaccari, Christopher Rhoades, Adam Nackers, Brian Lister, Mike Barngrover
  • Publication number: 20130325270
    Abstract: A method of controlling a transmission (100) for a machine is disclosed. The transmission includes a variator (104). The transmission is operated in a first operating range (301). It is determined whether a current speed ratio is within a first predetermined range of a speed ratio associated with a first synchronous point (304) lying between the first operating range (301) and the second operating range (302). A desired speed ratio is determined and it is determined if the desired speed ratio is within a second predetermined range of the speed ratio. A shift between the first and second operating ranges (301, 302) is prevented and the variator (104) is controlled to hold the current speed ratio if the desired speed ratio is within the second predetermined range or the rate of acceleration of the machine is below the threshold acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Michael Beyer, Adam Vaccari, Christopher Rhoades, Adam Nackers, Brian Lister, Mike Barngrover
  • Publication number: 20130325271
    Abstract: A transmission includes a transmission output speed (TOS) sensor providing a signal indicative of an output speed of the transmission. A controller estimates an actual torque output of the transmission and determines, in real time, a first TOS acceleration based on the signal provided by the transmission output speed sensor and a second TOS acceleration based on the actual torque estimation. The first and second accelerations are compared and a torque transient trigger is activated when the divergence exceeds a threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Brian Lister, Christopher Rhoades, Michael Beyer, Michael Barngrover
  • Publication number: 20120312656
    Abstract: A synchronizer system and method allow synchronization of a plurality of rotating parts by determining a measured or calculated starting relative speed of the plurality of rotating parts, and based on the starting relative speed selecting a predetermined synchronizer force profile from among a plurality of candidate profiles for synchronizing the plurality of parts prior to engagement. The selected profile is retrieved and applied to a synchronizer between the plurality of parts to be engaged, and when the relative speed between the plurality of parts to be engaged becomes substantially zero, the plurality of parts can then be engaged to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: TYLER BOWMAN, BRIAN LISTER
  • Patent number: 8296024
    Abstract: The described system and method allow a controller to calibrate a transmission variator of a continuously variable transmission for torque control by obtaining static and dynamic qualities and parameters of the variator through an automated calibration procedure. The system and method employ a pair of transmission mode configurations and operational configurations in combination to obtain system-specific information. In this way, the system is able to calibrate out the system variations to provide effective feed forward torque control of the continuously variable transmission. In an embodiment, a first calibration operation is performed while the transmission is neutralized and a second calibration operation is performed while the transmission is engaged in a mode providing a fixed variator output speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Stoller, Chad Brickner, Brian Lister
  • Publication number: 20110313630
    Abstract: The described system and method allow a controller to calibrate a transmission variator of a continuously variable transmission for torque control by obtaining static and dynamic qualities and parameters of the variator through an automated calibration procedure. The system and method employ a pair of transmission mode configurations and operational configurations in combination to obtain system-specific information. In this way, the system is able to calibrate out the system variations to provide effective feed forward torque control of the continuously variable transmission. In an embodiment, a first calibration operation is performed while the transmission is neutralized and a second calibration operation is performed while the transmission is engaged in a mode providing a fixed variator output speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Jason Stoller, Chad Brickner, Brian Lister
  • Publication number: 20070101818
    Abstract: A method of shifting gears in a work machine includes modulating an oncoming clutch pressure via a first segment of a predetermined curve, and modulating the clutch pressure via a second segment of the predetermined curve after the occurrence of a predetermined relative velocity state of a work machine transmission. A work machine having an electronic controller with an embedded shifting control algorithm that includes means for modulating the oncoming clutch pressure via a first segment of a predetermined curve, and via a second segment of a predetermined curve having a net slope different from the first segment after the occurrence of a predetermined relative velocity state of the work machine transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Inventors: Todd Kabrich, Tom Brosowske, Vaibhav Shah, Andrew Sloan, Richard League, Brian Lister